Club

Sebastian Giovinco

Sebastian Giovinco

Toronto FC

Forward

10

Real Name:
Sebastian Giovinco

HT:5' 4"WT:135

Age:
29 (01/26/1987)

Birthplace:
Turin, Italy

Hometown:
Turin

Giovinco began his career in the Juventus youth system where he was touted as a top prospect alongside midfielder Claudio Marchisio. In 2005-06, Giovinco was part of the club’s Campionato Primavera winning side. That same year the club reached the final of the Viareggio Tournament, one of the biggest youth football tournaments in the world. Giovinco made his professional debut for Juventus while the club was in Serie B on May 12, 2007 against Bologna; where he topped off his debut with an assist in a 3-1 win for Juventus. In July 2007, Giovinco was sent on loan to Italian side, Empoli F.C. (Empoli). With Empoli, he scored his first goal in Serie A on September 30, 2007 in a 3-1 victory over Palermo. At the conclusion of the season Empoli were relegated and Giovinco returned to Juventus, where he would remain for two more seasons (2008-09 and 2009-10).

He scored his first goal for Juventus on December 7, 2008 from a free kick against Lecce in a 2-1 victory. Giovinco was again sent on loan to Italian side, Parma F.C. (Parma) in August 2010. Parma held an option to purchase 50% of his contract at the end of the loan agreement. Giovinco’s impressive form for Parma saw him earn his first call to the Italian national team. After his first season at Parma, the club exercised the option to purchase half of his contract; he would remain at Parma for the 2011-12 season. That season Giovinco finished as the club’s leader in goals (15) and assists (11) in Serie A play. In two seasons at Parma, Giovinco made a combined 70 appearances, scoring 23 goals, and added 22 assists. In June 2012, Juventus purchased the 50% of Giovinco’s contract back from Parma, returning him to Turin for the 2012-13 season. In his first season back at Juventus, Giovinco played a key role in the club’s progression to the knock-out stages of the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2008-09. Giovinco scored his first UEFA Champions League goal against FC Nordsjaelland during the group stage, which Juventus won 4-0.

To date, Giovinco has earned 21 caps and has scored one goal for the Italian national team. He earned his first cap for Italy on February 9, 2011 in a friendly match against Germany. Giovinco was part of Italy’s second place finish at the UEFA Euro 2012 tournament. He scored his first international goal against Japan in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup; where Italy went on to win the Bronze medal. In addition, Giovinco has represented Italy at every level since U-16. In 2008, Giovinco was named “Player of the Tournament” at the Toulon Tournament, where Italy defeated Chile in the finals. Giovinco also represented Italy at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China and at the 2009 U-21 European Championship.